At a Glance
- Idris Elba has two children: Isan, 24, and Winston, 11
- Isan studies film at NYU and advocates for mental health
- Winston loves hearing his dad voice Knuckles in Sonic games
- Why it matters: Elba credits his kids with giving him purpose and teaching him self-love
Idris Elba calls fatherhood his greatest role. The actor, 51, has two children from past relationships who shape both his career and his view of himself.
Isan Elba – The Ambitious Daughter
Born January 5, 2002, to Elba and ex-wife Hanne “Kim” Nørgaard, Isan grew up on film sets and now majors in film and TV production at New York University, set to graduate in 2024.
- Golden Globe Ambassador 2019
- Mental-health advocate focusing on stigma in Black communities
- Skipped her senior prom to watch Elba DJ at Coachella
Isan once auditioned to play her dad’s on-screen daughter in Beast. Elba told The Breakfast Club:
> “She was great, but it came down to chemistry… wasn’t right for the film.”
The rejection led to a three-week silent spell, yet Isan still attended the premiere to support him.
Winston Elba – The Sonic Super-Fan
Winston arrived April 17, 2014, named after Elba’s late father. His mom is makeup artist Naiyana Garth.
Elba announced the birth on Twitter with a black-and-white photo captioned:
> “My son, Winston Elba, was born yesterday. Truly amazing.”
The 11-year-old hasn’t fully grasped celebrity, but proudly recognizes his dad’s voice as Knuckles in Sonic the Hedgehog movies.
Shared Values
Elba raises both kids with identical expectations.
> “Dad advice is dad advice,” he told Esquire UK. “I’m not going to give my daughter different advice from my son.”
He credits them with boosting his self-worth:
> “My children love me and maybe that’s helped me love myself a bit more.”
Key Takeaways
- Isan eyes a producing career after graduation next year
- Winston loves cuddles and hearing “lots of love-yous” from his dad
- Elba calls watching their personalities bloom “human magic”
Fatherhood, Elba says, keeps him grounded amid Hollywood chaos.
